Sunday, September 30, 2012

A Month of Monday Treats

As many of you already know -- on Mondays I take  a treat to share in the office.  Doesn't everyone need a little pick me up on Monday?
Here's a review of the Monday treats I shared for September......




Since I work for a school system that starts school in September...my first treat was a batch of "apple" cupcakes.






Second Monday - fresh fruit salad



 Third Monday - fudgies just like we used to get in school -- these are always a requested "favorite".



Since I started the month with apples....I figured I would end it with a fresh apple cake iced with cream cheese icing -- under this layer of icing is another layer with toffee bits mixed in. 

Tomorrow I will start off October with pumpkin muffins.....What kind of treat would put a smile in your Monday?

See ya!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

End of Summer Blues Tablescape


As much as I love Fall and think of it as my favorite season.....I must admit that the end of Summer gives me a bit of "the blues".  So what's a "tablescaper" to do but set the table....




 ....with Summer time blues!


 Blue and white make the perfect summer combination...and I love the blue hydrangea mixed with white.




Blue and white toile seems to capture the pastoral beauty of an English countryside.

 With roosters and chickens and rabbits....



....young lovers enjoying a few stolen moments of leisure on a Summer afternoon.




Flowers in a white soup tureen.  I found this tureen at Goodwill or thrifting a couple of years ago.  It didn't have an underplate, but this antique platter seems to fit the bill.



Love how well the dollar tree blue stems blend right in.


 Light blue damask napkins with silver plated napkin rings.




Let's have a breakdown of the dishes....


First I have a clear glass plate layered over.....



 ....the blue toile plates.  Why? you might ask.....Well, I was so excited when I found these salad plates early in the summer at a thrift store that I didn't notice the back until I got home......


 Darn!  I thought I wouldn't be able to use these pretty little dishes on my table until I realized that the clear glass plates on top would make them perfectly usable! Voila!




 My white Gibson plates are so versatile. 




Love these antique tissue linen placemats.  I thought the Target faux ivory flatware mixes in to this elegant table quite well.



I was thinking that the china showed an English countryside.....but on the rim there seems to be a windmill.  Makes me think of Holland.



I'm not sure, but this looks like a church to me.



Baskets of flowers and birds.  Perfect for a summer day....don't you think?



A "birds-eye" view of the table....


 .....and the centerpiece.




Speaking of birds....remember when we all found these a few years ago at Target and the adventures they all had?



Love the pastels and white against this old oak table.

 A closer look at the grape pattern of the soup tureen.  The lid was also in perfect condition I just didn't use it with the flowers.  Even though I've used my tureen for decorating... I've never used one to actually serve soup.  Does the soup stay warm?  Or is this just a pretty way to transfer the soup to the table?




Late afternoon casts beautiful shadows over the table.

Here in the Mid-Atlantic, September seems to be the month with one foot in Summer and one foot in Fall.  So I will enjoy these last lingering days of warmth before the leaves turn color and the air turns crisp......bringing a new season to treasure.


See ya!

I'm joining Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/.  You'll be glad you stopped by for a visit if you check it out!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Changing Seasons




I have learned over the past few years to start my seasonal decorating early in the fall.  It seems that once Labor Day is over things get really busy and with several decorating opportunities coming up -- Halloween and Thanksgiving.....it's best to start the 1st of September.....even if it still feels like summer.




And so I began to dismantle all the elements of Summer.....



from the little powder room.....



even the summer scented soap and lotion changed.....






Time to leave the sandcastles and buckets of gathered shells......




....no more moonlit walks on the beach.....




....the sounds of seagulls and waves disappear....


....one last sailboat ride.....



....time to say goodbye Summer.....






Welcome Fall!



Now we greet our old friend Mr. Scarecrow in the garden.....



....the leaves begin to fall.....



....the smell of cinnamon and spices.....



...our mantle takes on a new look...




...pheasants replace flamingos....


....soft sandy shades turn to Autumns brilliant colors......



....time for gathering.....


....and back to school.....


....and giving thanks....



....baskets laden.....




....with Autumn's harvest.....


....children playing.....


.....a visit to the pumpkin patch....



....as Autumn elves welcome the crisp cool days of fall....

....once again the seasons change and we welcome the warmth of home and hearth.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

See ya!

I'm joining Marty at "A Stroll Thru Life" for Tabletop Tuesday.http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2012/09/132nd-table-top-tuesday.html